Tread block core for endless tracks and the like



Nov. 30, 1943. E. 1.. ALLEN ET AL 2,335,228

TREAD BLOCK CORE FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l l I |||I nlllllllll-lll Ill llILlllIl FIG.

Nov. 30, 1943. v

E. L. ALLEN ET AL TREAD BLOCK CORE FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 R 5mm m ATTo/iwsv'm Nov. 30, 1943.

E. L. ALLEN ET AL TREAD BLOCK CORE FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5. 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVEN7'ORS; Ebw/N L. ALLEN HAROLD B. MusrER BY 4 M7147 A akA/Ew.

4 SheetsSheet 4 Nov. 30, 1943. E. L. ALLEN ET AL TREAD BLOCK CORE FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1942 v ,a 9 mm H W mu m 8 J 0 m wk lk D. H v w A Y HHHHUH fl w Patented Nov. 30, 1943 TREAD BLOCK CORE FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Edwin L. Allen and Harold B. Muster, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to Rudolph I. Schonitzer, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application February 5, 1942, Serial No. 429,604

Claims.

This invention relates to endless tracks for vehicles such as tanks, tractors and thelike. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in the re-enforcing cores for the rubber tread blocks of such tracks.

The type of tread block core with which the present invention is concerned is one having a pair of metal tubes adjacent, and substantially parallel with, the front and rear ends of the core, for the extension therethrough of cross rods by means of which a set of tread blocks, containing cores of the character here involved, may be connected to form an endless track, the laterally projecting end portions of said cross rods being suitably connected in pairs, at each side of the track, by means not necessary to be here described.

The present invention has for its general object the provision of a tread block core in which the metal tubes thereof are mounted in a simple and inexpensive sheet metal support of great structural strength and rigidity, as a consequence of which said core is particularly well adapted for the effective re-enforcement of the rubber which is bonded to opposite faces of said core to form a tread block.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a tread block core which comprises a pair of tubular members and a sheet metal support therefor of box-like form in which said tubular members are mounted, said support being provided with re-enforcing parts so constructed and arranged as to materially increase the strength, rigidity and durability of said support and hence, of the core as a whole.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a tread block core which comprises a pair of metal tubes and a support therefor in the form of a pair of rigidly connected sheet metal members of cup-like character, the end portions of said tubes being rigidly mounted in apertures in the base portions of said cup-like members to thereby provide a unitary core of unusual sturdiness.

Further objects of the present invention will appear from the following description of two tread block cores embodying said invention, said cores being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top-plan View of a section of one form of endless track havingrubber tread blocks provided with cores embodying the present invention, the means by which are connected the laterally projecting end portions of the cross rods which extend through said tread blocks to maintain them in endless track form being omitted, inasmuch as said connecting means is not here involved;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in vertical sectionand partly in side elevation, of thetrack section of Fig. 1, the view being on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the cores of the side tread blocks of the track of Fig. 1, the cores of the other side tread blocks of such track being identical therewith;

Fig, 4 is a side elevational view of the core of Fig. 3, andshowing in dot-dash lines the outer periphery of the block of rubber in which said core is embedded to form a side tread block;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View of aside tread block containing the core of Fig. 3, the view being on the line 5-5, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one of the two duplicate cup-like members of the core of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the cup-like core member of Fig. 6; a

Fig. 8 is atop plan view of the transversely split core of one of the correspondingly split middle tread blocks of'the track of Fig. 1, the cores of. the other middle tread blocks of such track being identical therewith;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the twosectional core of Fig. 8, and showing in dotdash lines the outer peripheries of the tw0-sectional block of rubber in which the two sections of said core are embedded to form a transversely split middle tread block; I 4

Fig. 10 is a rear elevational View of the front section of a middle tread block containingthe front section of the core of Fig. 8;

Fig, 11 is a top plan view of the one of the two duplicate parts of one of the two duplicate cuplike members of the tread block core of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the core part of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of one of the two duplicate sheet metal re-enforcing members which are used in the core of Fig. 8, there being one such re-enforcing member in each of the front and rear sections of said core; and

Fig. 14 is an end elevational view of the reenforcing member of Fig; 13.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it is to be understood that such-invention is not limited to the details ofconstruction or the specific arrangement of parts herein illustrated or described, as the invention obviously may take other forms. It also is to'be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein .employed is for the purpose of description and not the support for said tubes are not identical.

of limitation, the scope of the present invention being indicated by the appended claims.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown in such views a section of an endless track which comprises three rows of generally rectangular, longitudinally disposed rubber tread blocks each containing a core embodying the present invention, there being two laterally spaced rows of side tread blocks Ill and a row of middle tread blocks H, the middle tread blocks being of transversely split form and being staggered with respect to the side tread blocks. The tread blocks of the three rows are maintained in substantiallycontiguous relationship and in endlesstrack formby cross rods l2 suitably connected at their ends in pairs by means not here shown or described, inasmuch as said connecting means forms no part of the present invention. For the purposes of this application, it is sufficient to point out that each middle tread block H is connected to four side tread blocks l (two on each side thereof), and that each side tread block is connected to two middleltread blocks;inasmuch as each side tread block is overlapped by the rear section of one middle tread block 'a'nd by the front sectionof the adjacent middle tread block, all as clearly shown in Fig. 1. v V

Inasmuch as the cores of the side tread blocks [0 of the track of Fig. '1 are of identical construction, a description of the core of one such tread block will'suffice for all side block cores. Similarly, as the cores of the middle tread blocks ll of the track of Fig. l are of identical construction, it will be necessary to'describe the core of but one of those tread blocks, it being understood,

'ofcourse, that the side tread block'cores and the middle tread block cores differ somewhat, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

'From 'an examination of-Figs. '3 to '7 inclusive, it will be evidentthat the coreof each of theside tread blocks [0 comprises apair of tubular members, such asthe metal tubes J5, and a sheet metal support -therefor of box-like form, the side walls of'said support being suitably apertured to receive the ends of said tubes.

As here shown, the support for the tubes l comprises a pair :of sheet metal members iii of "cup-like form, saidmembers being arranged sideby-side with their rim portions in contact and with their base portions l-'I constituting the side walls of the support. For manufacturing econ- 0111 7 and simplicity of assembly, the two tubes l5 "preferably are of duplicate character, as here shown. Similarly, the two cup-like members l6 preferably, and here are, of duplicate form, although it is to beunderstood that the cores of the sidetread blocks l0 may be of the type in which the two tubes thereof are not duplicates and in which the sheet metal members forming In order to provide a more rigid and sturdier 'core, the"cup-like members 16 preferably, and

here are, of such size as to snugly receive the tubes 15, and inasmuch as said tubes are located at the front and rear ends of said members, the curvature of the end portionsof said members is such as to conform to the'curvature of said tubes,

as best shown in Fig. 4. For the formation of the circular apertures I8 which receivethe ends 7 of theltubes l5, the entire end areas of the base portions l'lof the'cup-like members 16 areremoved, and in order to provide increased bearing surface for the inner or.v contiguous semi-circular sectionsof the ends of said tubes, .the endledge.

portions ofthe' remaining metal of the base portions I! of members it are laterally bent to form the semi-circular flange portions Iii. These flange portions 19 are here readily formed by inwardly offsetting the metal therebetween, which results, of course, in giving the cup-like members [6 increased strength and rigidity, as will be readily understood.

Any suitable means may be utilized for maintaining the cup-like members E6 in associated relationship and for preventing endwise movement of the tubes I 5 relative to said members. As here shown, the members I6 are maintained in abutting relationship by flash welding, and copper brazing is utilized to rigidly connect the ends of the tubes Hi to the side edges of the rounded end portions of members l6 and to the arcuate flanges IQ of the base portions I! of said members. It is not essential, of course to separately unite, by'welding or other means, the two cuplil'reimembers l6 as they will be held in abutting relation by the means, whatever be its form or character, by which theends of the tubes l5 are rigidly united to said members, all as will be readily understood.

From'the foregoing description of the core of the side tread blocks. H3, it will be evident that said core is particularly Well adapted for the effective and durable re-enforcement of the block .of rubber '20 in which said core is embedded to form a side tread block. Any suitable means may ,be utilized, of course, for the bonding of said rubber to said core, the outer surfaces of the sheet metal'members i6 being copper plated for such .ipurpose,gif" desired. The inward offsetting of the base portions ll of members I6 naturally is of material benefit in the securement of said rubber to the core, as it enables the rubber to extend along the sides of the corebetween the arcuate .fia'nges l9, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. If desired,

the diameterof the tubes I5 may be such as to more, or less snugly. receive; the cross rods 12 or, I as here shown (see Fig. 2) ,the diameter of said tubes may be somewhat larger than that of said cross rods in order that said tubes may be provided with rubber or other'linings 2 l.

Referring now toFigs. S'to 14 inclusive, wherein is illustrated the corejof the middle tread blocks 1 l,'it willbe noted that said core also comprises a 'pairrof metal tubes and a sheet metal support base) portions Ila constituting the side walls of the support,

" In this core,howev'er the tubes i5a do not snugly .fitwithin thecup-like members 16a nor do said tubesiiengag'e the'rouncl'ed'front and rear end portions of said members." As clearly'shown in Fig. 8, the circular apertures 18a inthe base portions llaiof members it, for th reception of the .ends' of the tubes" i5a, are'spaced from'the rounded end portions of said members, and are surrounded by out-turnedannular flanges 24 with blocks of the character 'h'ere'involved; the middle which the base portions lldarehe're integrally provided. To simplifyreplacem'ent in the fieldof tread tread blocks 1 I are'of transversely splitform,

with the result that each such 'treadblock incIud'esa front section-and a rear. section, the two sections preferably being of duplicate character,

'as'here shown. The cores of the middle'tread blocks .are, of course, of correspondingly split form, so that each of the cup-like members l6a is in two duplicate parts.

Any suitable means may be utilized for main- -means may be utilized for maintaining in associated relationship the front parts of members Mia and for preventing endwise movement, relative thereto of the front tube la which is mounted therein. As here shown, flash Welding' is used to maintain in abutting relationship the rear parts of members Mia, and the front parts of such memhere are likewise maintained in abutting relationship by flash welding. For the rigid connection of each tube l5a to the annular flange 24 of the sheet metal core parts in which it is mounted, copper brazing is here used. It i not necessary, however, to separately unite, by welding or other means, either set of associated core parts, as the two sheet metal parts of each such set will be securely held in abutting relationship by the means, whatever be its form, by which is rigidly connected thereto one of the tubes l5a.

In order to give this middle tread block core increased strength and rigidity, each section of said core is here provided at its abutment end 25 with a suitable re-enforcing member, such as the channel-shaped sheet metal member 26 here shown (said member being illustrated per se in Figs. 13 and 14). As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, these re-enforcing members are arranged within and transversely of the cup-like members [6a, the top and bottom flanges 21 of said re-enforcing members being in contact with and rigidly secured to the top and bottom wall portions of members lfia, by copper brazing, welding or other suitable means. As best shown in Figs. 8 and 10, the length of the re-enforcing members 26 is such that they abut'or substantially abut the base portions Ila of members [6a, although they obviously may be of somewhat shorter length, if

. desired. Moreover, if desired and as here shown,

the re-enforcing members 26 may have their middle portions recessed, as at 28, the effect of which is to give them increased strength and rigidity, as will be readily understood.

From the foregoing description of this middle tread block core, it will be evident that such core is particularly well adapted for the effective and durable re-enforcement of the two-sectional block of rubber 30 in which such core is embedded for the formation of a middle tread block, each section of said rubber block being suitably bonded to the core section embedded therein, as will be readily understood, It also will be evident that the provision of the annular flanges 24 of the base portions Ila of the cup-like members lfia not only afford increased bearing surface for the ends of the tubes i5a but also aid in the anchoring to each core section of the section of rubber in which it is embedded.

Inasmuch as the cross rods I2 fit tightly in the which are mounted two side tread blocks andtwo middle tread block sections therebetween, said sections constituting, when in a track, the adjacent sections of two adjacent middle tread blocks, all as will be readily understood. As will be evident from the accompanying drawings, the two sections of each middle tread block H are firmly held in abutting relation by the means (not shown) by which the cross rods I2 are connected in pairs, and any tendency of a middle tread block section to turn about its cross rod is effectively resisted.

Further features and advantages of tread block cores embodying the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art to which the present inventio relates.

What we claim is:

1. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members and having a member of elongated cuplike form.

2. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members in the form of a pair of elongated cuplike members.

3. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members, said support comprising a pair of elongated cup-like members arranged with their rim portions in adjacent relationship.

4. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members, said support comprising a pair of elongated cup-like members arranged with their rim portions in abutting relationship.

5. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members, said support being of box-like form with apertured side wall portions, said wall portions being provided with laterally extending annular flanges surrounding said apertures, and said tubular members being mounted in the apertures of said wall portions and bearing against the flanges thereof.

6. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members, said support being of box-like form with apertured side wall portions, said wall portions being provided with laterally extending annular flanges surrounding said apertures, and said tubular' members being mounted in the aperturesof said wall portions and being rigidly secured 'to the flanges thereof.

'7. A core for the'rubbertread block of anendless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of, spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members, said support being of box-like form with side wall portions, each of said sidewall portions having a pair of apertures and an offset strengthening part between its apertures, said tubular members being mounted in the apertures of said side wall portions. 7

8. A core for the rubber-tread block of -an'endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of tubular members for the reception of track 'crossrods,

and a support for said tubular members, said support being of box-like form with apertured side wall portions having outwardly extending annular flanges surroundingtheir apertures' and said tubular members being mounted in the apertures ofsaid side wall portions. r

9. A core for the rubber treadblock of an endless track of the typein which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the receptionof track cross rods, and a support for said tubular members, said support being in the form of two elongated cuplike members arranged side-by-side, the base portions'of said cup-like members constituting the side walls of said support and being apertured to receive the end portions of said tubular members,

and means for maintaining said cup-like members in side-by-side relationship.

11. A core for the rubber treadblock of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods-extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced" tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a support for said tubular members, said support being in the form of two elongated cup-like members arranged side-by-side, thebase portions of said cup-like members constituting the side walls .ofsaid. support, and means for preventing endwise movement of said tubular membersrelative to said cup-like members.

12. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular members for the reception of track cross rods, and a support for said tubular members, said support being in the form of two associated sheet-metal members arranged in side-by-side said tubular members are mounted, and sheet metal re-enforcing means'for said support disposed between said tubular members.

14. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in which the tread blocks of such track have cross rods extending therethrough, said core comprising a pair of spaced tubular member for the reception of track cross-rods, and a sheet metal support for said tubular members, said support being of boxliire form in which said tubular members are mounted, said box-like support being separable into two sections with each such section having a tubular member'mounted therein, and a separate sheet metal re-enforcing member-for each such section of said support. 7

15. A core for the rubber tread block of an endless track of the type in'which the tread said tubular members being mounted in said side wall portions adjacent the rounded ends of said support, saidsupport being separable intotwo sections with such sections having inter-abutting ends and each such section having mounted therein one of said tubular members, and a channelshaped re-enforcing member for each such sec.-

, tion of said support and located adj acent its abutting end. 1

EDWIN L. ALLEN.

:I-IAROLD B. MUSTER. 

